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CrossFit and Consequences: What No One Tells You When Your Kid Joins CrossFit
About seven months ago, our daughter Olivia asked for a meeting with the gym owners to make a case for herself. She had one request:Let me into the adult CrossFit class. She was turning 11. Now, to be clear, this isn’t some scaled-down version of fitness fun with foam rollers and freeze pops. This is
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Tornado Warning: She’s the Storm You’ve Been Waiting For
I often {lovingly} refer to my youngest daughter as a tornado. She’s a force to be reckoned with on so many levels, and she always has been. I admire her reckless, carefree spirit—the way she unapologetically commands a room. Strong, fierce, and sometimes a little intimidating, she’s a whirlwind in the best possible way. We
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Stop ‘Working’ on Your Marriage—Do This Instead
The other day, a friend and I were deep in conversation—talking about life, kids, and, most of all, marriage. As we reflected on how much we’ve grown in our relationships over the years, I kept finding myself saying the same thing: “Marriage isn’t ‘work.’ It’s about being intentional. Marriage should be fun!” How many times
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The Ornament That Started It All
Every year, for the past 12 years, I’ve placed this ornament on our Christmas tree. And every year, as I put it on and take it off, I’m overwhelmed with love, gratitude, and memories that shaped the life we’ve built together. You see, this isn’t just an ornament—it’s the ornament. The first one Gordon and
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10 Creative Family Rituals to Strengthen Bonds
Let’s face it—life moves fast. Between school drop-offs, work deadlines, and a never-ending to-do list, it’s easy to let meaningful family time slip through the cracks. That’s where family rituals come in, appearing out of nowhere like a genie granting family wishes! Think of them as the glue that keeps everyone connected, the secret sauce
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Code Word: Potato
If I could give my girls anything, it would be the courage to speak their minds freely—without fear of judgment or consequence. I want them to know the power of their own voices and to trust in the value of what they have to say. But if I’m honest, there have been moments when my
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Operation Silly Goose
Let me give you a little backstory on what has shaped me into the person I am today. As an Enneagram 1—the “Perfectionist”—and a Virgo (also known for perfectionist tendencies), it probably won’t surprise you that I’m also the oldest of three siblings… which, yes, has only fueled my perfectionist streak. From a young age,
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Teach Them to Fish
They say if you give a man a fish, you feed him for a day, but if you teach him to fish, you feed him for a lifetime. This timeless wisdom highlights the importance of empowering others with the tools, knowledge, and skills to succeed on their own. True impact comes from nurturing self-reliance and
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The Breaking the Cycle Trauma
“We repeat what we don’t repair” —Unknown As the mother of two young daughters I have worked hard to be the woman that they could always look up to. I wanted to be the mom that they would always be proud of. I have tried to be the person that they needed me to be.
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The Grief/Guilt Trauma
“You cannot prevent the birds of sorrow from flying over your head, but you can prevent them from building nests in your hair.” Old Chinese proverb I am the oldest of three children. I am five years older than my sister and 10 years older than my brother. When my brother was only 9 months
The Balanced Mama
Parenting isn't about perfection, it's about connection
